Feed bunk cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus having an auger to remove material from and to move material in a trough to a collection point with a brush apparatus behind the auger to move material in the trough, a powering device to drive the auger, and a frame mounting the auger and brush apparatus to support same. This invention is a cleaning apparatus adapted to remove material from a trough, move it through the trough and remove it completely from the trough.

FEED BUNK CLEANER Numerous types of augers and material moving devices employing augers and brushes are known in the prior art operable to move material or to clean surfaces. However, these prior art devices are limited in their usage and not adaptable to cleaning an elongated feeding trough or feed bunk. Heretofore the operation of cleaning a feeding bunk must have been done by hand operation with a shovel, or by using a tractor equipped with a backhoe or the like. These prior art devices and methods for cleaning a feeding trough are very slow and expensive, and generally not desirable.

In one preferred specific embodiment of this invention, a feed bunk cleaner includes an auger assembly with a thrower and a brush adapted to be supported in an elongated feeding trough of the type usually found in feed lots, and moved through the trough to remove leftover feed and other material from the feeding trough. The auger and brush assembly is moved and supported by a frame which is attachable to a tractor or other vehicle which is driven alongside the feed bunk with the auger and brush assembly in operation. The supporting frame includes a pivotable portion mounted with the vehicle and a second frame depending from the outer end of the first frame and attached to the auger and brush assembly framing. The auger assembly includes a forward auger flighting portion to move material rearward toward the thrower, and a rear auger flighting portion to move material forward toward the thrower. The brush assembly has a rotatable brush adapted to rotate transversely to direction of motion, thereby moving material which is on the bottom of the trough forward into the rear auger. The cleaning apparatus has a plurality of guide rollers on its lower portion to roll on the bottom and side portions of the trough in order to maintain the auger flighting and brush in a proper position in the feed trough for efficient operation. The auger and brush assembly is preferably operated via a hydraulic motor which can be easily operated from a tractor or like vehicle. Around the auger and brush assembly is a shield adapted to enclose material within the auger and brush on the side adjacent to the tractor and discharge material on the side opposite of the tractor. The auger flighting and thrower are preferably provided with a resilient outer edge portion so that contact with the feeding trough will not cause undue wear on the machine and will insure a positive motion of the material in the trough.

One object of this invention is to provide a feed bunk cleaner overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices and means of cleaning feed bunks.

Still one other object of this invention is to provide a feed bunk cleaner having an auger assembly and a brush placeable within an elongated feeding trough which can be moved through the trough and operated to remove material from the trough, material such as leftover feed and the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a feed bunk cleaner which can be easily mounted with a conventional farm tractor and used to remove material from an elongated cattle feeding trough or the like.

Yet, one additional object of this invention is to provide a feed bunk cleaner having a shielded auger with a thrower mounted between two oppositely disposed auger fightings and having a rotary brush mounted in line with the augers adapted to be placed in and moved througha feeding trough in operation to remove material from the trough and discharge into the adjacent area.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the feed bunk cleaner with the feed bunk cleaner raised above a feed bunk supported by a tractor shown in outline by dashed lines;

FIG. 2 is a tractor side perspective view of the feed bunk cleaner taken from the forward end thereof in the raised position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the feed bunk cleaner and supporting structure in the raised position alongside a tractor, with the tractor shown in outline in dashed lines;

-FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the feed bunk cleaner and tractor shown in the operating position inside a feeding trough, with the tractor shown in outline in dashed lines; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the feed bunk cleaner and tractor taken from the side opposite of the tractor with the feed bunk cleaner in the operating position in a feed bunk, with the tractor shown in outline in dashed lines.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new feed bunk cleaner of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the nvention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, a feed bunk cleaner of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is shown attached to a tractor 12 positioned above a feed bunk. The feed bunk cleaner 10 includes a supporting frame structure 14 attached to the tractor, holding a second frame structure 16 which mounts the auger assembly 18 and rotating brush assembly 20.

The supporting frame structure 14 is a trapezoidal shaped frame pivotally mounted on one end to the tractor l2 and extending to one side of the tractor a substantial distance so the cleaning apparatus can be spaced for operation a substantial distance from the tractor. The supporting frame structure specifically includes a pair of outward extending main support members, indicated at 22, having cross bracing members 24 positioned therebetween with tension stringer members 26 secured above the main support members 22 to the outer end member 28. The main support members 22 and cross brace members 24 are substantially in the same plane, and the stringer members 26 are positioned immediately above the main support members 22 extending from the pivotal mount of the supporting frame structure. An additional compression support member 30 extends from the pivotal mount approximately halfway out the main support members on their lower side. The pivotal mount for the supporting frame structure 14 is not shown in the drawings; however, it is a simple pivotal mount securely attached to the frame structure of the tractor 12. Movement of the supporting frame structure is about the pivot in a generally up and down motion and is accomplished by use of a hydraulic cylinder 32 attached between compression support member 30 and the tractor structure at the mount 33. The hydraulic cylinder 32 is operable by the tractor preferably controlled from inside the cab.

The cleaning apparatus is supported from the outermember 28 of the frame structure 14 so as to pivot about that member. The outer member 28 is a conduit member which serves as the outer portion of a bearing for the support shaft 34. The support shaft 34 has on its forward end a downwardly disposed pulling member 36 as can be seen in the drawings; and on its rear portion behind the outer frame member 28, a collar member 38. The pulling member 36 is used to support the forward end portion of the cleaning apparatus, and the collar 38 is used in conjunction with a flexible member 40, preferably a chain, to support the rear end portion of the cleaning apparatus. in order to secure the pulling tached on the forward end to the forward upright memmember 36 to the second frame 16 which supports the cleaning apparatus, a short section of chain indicated at 42 is used to create a somewhat flexible connection between the second frame and the pulling member. In practice the use of chains to support the cleaning apparatus has been found advantageous in allowing for small side to side movements of the device when in use.

The second frame assembly 16 supports the brush assembly 20, auger assembly 18, and a guiding assembly 19; it has an elongated upper member 44 extending completely over the brush and auger assemblies which is used to support them and which is itself supported from the other supporting frame structure 14. The elongated second frame member 44 is attached on the rear portion to the chain 40 from the support frame structure, and on the forward end it has a collar 46 therearound held in place by set screws 47 with a chain support 48 extending toward the tractor which is connected to the front chain 42. The collar 46 and extension 48 can be rotated about the elongated member 44 and secured thereto in a fixed position, thus allowing some adjustment of the angle between the elongated member 44 and the outer member 28 of the supporting frame structure 14. This allows adjustment of the angle of incidence of the cleaning apparatus which may be necessary in operation. On the forward portion of the elongated member 44 an upright member 50 extends downward to mount the guide assembly and the forward end of the auger assembly, and on the rear of the elongated member 44 another upright member extends downward behind the rear of the brush assembly mounting a pair of guide wheels 54. Mounting of the rear guide wheels 54 is shown in FIG. 4; they are attached to a shaft 56 which is supported on a second upright member 58 extending upward into the upright member 52. The rear guide wheels 54 are provided with an adjustment indicated at 60 to allow for their proper vertical positioning behind the brush assembly 20. The guide assembly 19 on the front of the elongated member 44 includes a vertically mounted wheel indicated at 62 attached to the lower end portion of the upright member 50, an inner guide wheel indicated at 64 attached to the auger apparatus shield, and an outer guide wheel 66 attached to a lengthwise adjustable arm 68 positioned on the outer portion of the cleaning apparatus opposite the tractor side of the entire device. The guiding assembly 19 is mounted so as to be vertically movable and positionable on the upright member 50 by using the collar 69 and set screw indicated at 70. The guiding assembly vertical adjustment is provided to ber 50 and on the rear end to the other upright member 74. A second portion of the shield generally indicated at covers the upper and inside portion of the brush assembly 20 and is supported from the elongated member 44 by a short upright member 82. The auger assembly includes two oppositely spiraled auger flighting portions attached to a thrower assembly, generally indicated at 84, mounted between them. The forward auger fiighting 86 is adapted to move material rearward or toward the thrower assembly 84; and the rear auger flighting 88 is adapted to move material forward toward the thrower assembly 84 as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings. The thrower assembly 84 is comprised of a pair of blades indicated at 90, each being attached -to one blading portion of the oppositely spiraled auger portions 86 and 88 so as to join opposing ends of them. The thrower blades 90 extend radially from the auger shaft 92 and are substantially the same radial length as the auger flighting. It is to be noted that on the outer edge portions of the entire auger assembly and thrower assembly, 18 and 84, that a resilient edge portion indicated at 94 is attached to the blading. This resilient edge portion reduces wear on the blading and allows the outer edge portion of the, apparatus to contact the feed bunk in a conforming relation thereby allowing for variations in the shape of each specific bunk. The outer resilient edge portion 94 is preferably attached by bolts or rivets to the edge portions of the auger flightings 86 and 88 and to the thrower blades 90 such that is can be easily removed and replaced as necessary.

The auger assembly shield 78 is preferably adjustable in its mounted position on the upright members 50 and 74 so that it can be brought in contact with the outer resilient edge 94 of the auger assembly 18. The center portion of the shield 78 has a raised and extended portion indicated at 96, adjacent to the thrower assembly 84. The shield 78 adjacent to the auger apparatus 18 does not necessarily have to be in contact with the resil ient portion 94 of the auger flighting; it will operate spaced a short distance away therefrom. The extended portion 96 of the shield at the thrower 84 is adapted to direct material from the thrower outward from the cleaning apparatus by providing a passageway having an attitude so as to direct the material above the walls of the feed bunk and generally away from it. In effect,

the raised portion 96 of the shield serves as a direction controlling outlet for the discharge from the thrower 84.

The rear portion of the shield 80 covers the brush assembly 20 and is shaped in an open box-like fashion as can be seen in FIG. 2. The rear shield 80 has a top member 100 and an inner side member 102 attached to the rear portion of the other shield 78. The inner member of the shield 102 is preferably flat and extends over most of the inside area of the brush assembly 20,

as can be clearly seen in FIG. 2. The brush assembly shield 80 is supported on the top by a short member 82, and it is joined on the forward portion to the rear of the auger apparatus shield 78. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 the rear of the brush apparatus is only partially enclosed in the shield 80. Also, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5 the shield 80 does not cover the brush on the discharge side of the cleaning apparatus. The brush assembly shield 80 generally functions to contain particles moved by the brush so that they are directed forward into the auger assembly 18 or outward relative to the tractor. Practice has shown that the shield 80 need only be on the top and inside portions of the brush to protect the operator and to direct a substantial amount of particles forward into the auger assembly 18. No shielding is necessary on the outer side of the cleaning apparatus because that is the discharge side of the apparatus and shielding that side would only restrict particle movement.

The brush assembly 20 includes a rotary brush driven from the same shaft as the auger assembly adapted to rotate simultaneously with the auger apparatus. The rotary brush has a plurality of radially disposed bristles 104 attached to the hub 106 so as to form a cylindrical shaped brush extending across the feed bunk as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The hub 106 is mounted on a right angle drive gear box positioned in the center of the brush (not visible in the drawings) which is driven by the shaft 108 common to the brush assembly 20 and the auger assembly 18. The right angle gear drive is positioned in the center of the brush to drive the two portions of the brush indicated at 110 and 112, visible in FIG. 4. The brush apparatus 20 has the two portions 110 and 112 mounted on opposite sides of the gear drive in order to substantially cover the width of the feed bunk and to enclose by the simplest means the gear drive to make the structure more compact. Both of the brush portions 110 and 112 rotate in the same direction in operation to move material forward along the bottom portion of the feed bunk. The gear drive is supported from the shaft 108 and from a vertical support member between the two portions of the brush 110 and 112 (not visible in the drawings). The hub 106 is preferably constructed so that the two bristle portions of the brush, 110 and 112, can be removed and replaced as necessary. In normal operation the ends of the bristles 104 are in firm contact with the bottom of the feed bunk so as to insure the movement of all loosened particles by the brush. The proper positioning of the brush in relation to the bottom of the feed bunk is accomplished by the height adjustable gear wheels 54 by using the set screw 60 connecting the upright members 52 and S8.

The auger apparatus 18 and brush assembly 20 are preferably remotely operated from the tractor 12 via its hydraulic system. The shaft 108 joining the brush assembly 20 and the auger assembly 18 is rotated by a hydraulic motor 114 mounted on the elongated frame member 44 and connected to the shaft 108 by a roller chain 116. The hydraulic motor 114 is operable from the hydraulic system of the tractor 12 through hoses as shown in the figures of the drawings, which do not restrict raising and lowering movement of the cleaning apparatus. The hydraulic motor 14 is preferably controllable in speed so as to provide an adjustment for different material being removed from the feed bunk. The

hydraulic motor 114 must only necessarily rotate the auger assembly 18 in one direction so as to properly move the material through the auger flighting so as to remove it from the feed bunk. In practice it has been found that when the speed of the cleaning apparatus and its position in the feed bunk are properly adjusted, the device will throw material approximately 20 to 40 feet from the feed bunk, depending of course upon the amount of material in the feed bunk and the type of the material in the feed bunk.

The feed bunk cleaner 10 as shown in the drawings is mountable on the right-hand side ofa tractor vehicle and spaced from the vehicle a substantial distance so that the tractor can be driven alongside a feed bunk with the cleaning apparatus positioned within the feed bunk without significant danger of driving into the feed bunk with the tractor. It is to be noted that a device similar to the specific device shown in the drawings could be constructed to be mounted on the opposite side of the tractor. To mount the feed bunk cleaner on the opposite side of the tractor would require basically constructing the apparatus in a mirror image fashion so that the auger flighting and shielding would be in the proper respective relations. In the actual operation of the feed bunk cleaner 10 of this invention it is supported in the raised position and before being moved into position over a feed bunk prior to its use. The feed bunks for which this invention is intended to be used are normally elongated trough-like fixtures on the ground such as commonly used in feed lots and in cattle storage areas at Stockyards. So that the feed bunk cleaner can be used to the best advantage, it is placed in the feed bunk at one end thereof so that the operating vehicle or tractor can move it through the entire length of the feed bunk in one operation. When the feed bunk cleaner is placed in a feed bunk, the apparatus will normally rest on top of whatever is in the feed bunk until rotation of its moving parts is begun. Once the feed bunk cleaner is in operation, the auger assembly and brush assembly move material to the thrower 84 where it is quickly removed from the feed bunk. Once in operation the feed bunk cleaner 10 is moved forward by the tractor 12. The rate of forward motion of the tractor and feed bunk cleaner depend upon the amount of material to be removed from the feed bunk. When in its forward motion, the feed bunk cleaner is positioned in the center portion of the feed bunk by the forward guide wheels 62, 64 and 66. The vertical wheel 62 is resting on top of whatever material is in the feed bunk, and the other wheels 64 and 66 rolling against the side portions of the feed bunk. FIG. 5 shows in detail the position of the feed bunk cleaner 10 in the operating position in a feed bunk. As for the rotational speed of the auger and thrower portions of the apparatus, that is a factor that depends on the amount and type of material which is to be removed from the feed bunk. In actual practice the feed bunk cleaner 10 has been rotated at speeds sufficient to throw material 40 feet from the feed bunk itself. The rotational speed and the speed of forward movement together determine the rate at which material can be removed from the feed bunk. Additionally the consistency of whatever material is in the feed bunk is an important factor in determining the optimum rotational speed and forward movement of the feed bunk cleaner. It is obvious that dense, wet compressed material will not be as easy to remove from the feed bunk as dry uncompressed material. In actual operation it has been found necessary for the operator to experiment slightly with rotational speed and forward movement to obtain a maximum rate of removal for material; however, normally this does not take but a slight amount of adjustment in a short period of time to determine an optimum removal rate.

in the manufacture of the feed bunk cleaner 10 of this invention, it is obvious that the apparatus is constructed with sufficient weight to hold it in a feed bunk while the auger and brush apparatus remove material from the feed bunk. Additionally, it is obvious that the portions of the feed bunk cleaner structure which will encounter the most wear are'made easily replaceable, namely, the edge portions of the auger flighting and the bristles of the brush.

In the use and operation of the feed bunk cleaner 10 of this invention, it is seen that same provides a heavy structure adapted to hold itself in place in a feed bunk and guide itself through the feed bunk in operation wherein the auger apparatus 18, brush apparatus and thrower apparatus 84 are adapted to remove material from an elongated feed bunk. The feed bunk cleaner 10 is adapted to be pulled in a forward direction through an elongated feed bunk supported and moved by a tractor vehicle having a hydraulic system power takeoff.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description of the applicants feed bunk cleaner, relatively simple and efficient means have been provided to remove material from a feed bunk. The feed bunk cleaner is simple to use, economical in terms of saving time and effort required to clean feed bunks, and may be easily used to clean elongated feed bunks as often as necessary.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this discussion is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

1 claim:

I. A trough cleaning means comprising:

a. an auger means mounted on a frame means and axially alignable and insertable in a trough to remove material from the sides of the trough and to move same to a collection point,

b. a brush means mounted on said frame means, in-

sertable in said trough and contactable with the bottom of said trough to move resulting removed material and material on the bottom of said trough along said trough and into said auger means,

c. means with said auger means to remove said removed material from said trough, and

d. powering means adapted to drive said auger.

2. The cleaning means of claim 1, wherein:

a. said frame means has means therewith to contact said trough to guide said auger means and said brush means through said trough, and

b. said auger means and said brush means adapted to be moved along said trough in cleaning operation.

3. The cleaning means of claim 2, wherein:

a. said brush means is mounted on said frame means and connected to said powering means to be rotatable transverse relative to said auger means and adapted to move material forward in said trough, and

b. said auger means has a forward flighting portion to move material rearward to said collecting point,

and a rear flighting portion to move material forward to said collecting point.

4. The cleaning means of claim 3, wherein:

a. a shield is mounted on said frame means partially enclosing said flighting portions and brush means, and

b. said means to remove material is a thrower means mounted between said forward auger flighting portion and said rear auger flighting portion.

5. The cleaning means of claim 4, wherein:

a. said means to guide said auger means and said brush is a plurality of rollers extendable from said frame means to contact said trough so as to properly position said auger means and said brush means in said trough, and

b. said means to support and move said frame means is a second frame means mountable with an operating vehicle adapted to raise and lower said auger means and said brush means and in operation to move same in said forward direction through said trough.

6. The cleaning means of claim 5, wherein:

a. said forward flighting portion, said rear flighting portion and said thrower means are mounted on a single shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted with said frame means and connected to said powering means,

b. said shield extends partially over the top portion and partially over one side portion of said auger means, said thrower means and said brush means and is adapted to keep material in said auger means generally and to direct material discharged from said thrower means when in operation, and

c. said powering means is connectible to and controllable from said operating vehicle.

7. The cleaning means of claim 6, wherein:

a. said thrower means has a radially disposed blade member extending outward from said shaft connected between converging, spiraled portions of said forward auger flighting portion and said rear auger flighting portion and having the outer end portion of said blade member substantially parallel to said shaft, and

b. said thrower blade member and the adjacent portions of said auger means are contactable with said shield.

8. The cleaning means of claim 7, wherein:

a. said second frame means has a pivotable support structure attached said operating vehicle extendable from one side thereof, an elongated support member p'ivotally depending from said support structure at the outer end thereof and having said frame means attached thereto, and is pivotable so as to position said elongated support member alongside said operating vehicle to move same therewith, and

b. said support structure has a forward partially flexible pivot member attached to said elongated support member in a substantially rigid fashion and a rear flexible support member attached said support structure so as to allow free movement of the rear of said elongated support member.

9. The cleaning means of claim 8, wherein:

a. said auger means has a resilient edge portion on the flighting thereof and on the outer edge portion of thrower blade,

on the rear of said elongated support member positioned behind said brush means to support the rear end of said cleaning means in said trough, and

(1. said motor means is a hydraulic motor means. 

1. A trough cleaning means comprising: a. an auger means mounted on a frame means and axially alignable and insertable in a trough to remove material from the sides of the tRough and to move same to a collection point, b. a brush means mounted on said frame means, insertable in said trough and contactable with the bottom of said trough to move resulting removed material and material on the bottom of said trough along said trough and into said auger means, c. means with said auger means to remove said removed material from said trough, and d. powering means adapted to drive said auger.
 2. The cleaning means of claim 1, wherein: a. said frame means has means therewith to contact said trough to guide said auger means and said brush means through said trough, and b. said auger means and said brush means adapted to be moved along said trough in cleaning operation.
 3. The cleaning means of claim 2, wherein: a. said brush means is mounted on said frame means and connected to said powering means to be rotatable transverse relative to said auger means and adapted to move material forward in said trough, and b. said auger means has a forward flighting portion to move material rearward to said collecting point, and a rear flighting portion to move material forward to said collecting point.
 4. The cleaning means of claim 3, wherein: a. a shield is mounted on said frame means partially enclosing said flighting portions and brush means, and b. said means to remove material is a thrower means mounted between said forward auger flighting portion and said rear auger flighting portion.
 5. The cleaning means of claim 4, wherein: a. said means to guide said auger means and said brush is a plurality of rollers extendable from said frame means to contact said trough so as to properly position said auger means and said brush means in said trough, and b. said means to support and move said frame means is a second frame means mountable with an operating vehicle adapted to raise and lower said auger means and said brush means and in operation to move same in said forward direction through said trough.
 6. The cleaning means of claim 5, wherein: a. said forward flighting portion, said rear flighting portion and said thrower means are mounted on a single shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted with said frame means and connected to said powering means, b. said shield extends partially over the top portion and partially over one side portion of said auger means, said thrower means and said brush means and is adapted to keep material in said auger means generally and to direct material discharged from said thrower means when in operation, and c. said powering means is connectible to and controllable from said operating vehicle.
 7. The cleaning means of claim 6, wherein: a. said thrower means has a radially disposed blade member extending outward from said shaft connected between converging, spiraled portions of said forward auger flighting portion and said rear auger flighting portion and having the outer end portion of said blade member substantially parallel to said shaft, and b. said thrower blade member and the adjacent portions of said auger means are contactable with said shield.
 8. The cleaning means of claim 7, wherein: a. said second frame means has a pivotable support structure attached said operating vehicle extendable from one side thereof, an elongated support member pivotally depending from said support structure at the outer end thereof and having said frame means attached thereto, and is pivotable so as to position said elongated support member alongside said operating vehicle to move same therewith, and b. said support structure has a forward partially flexible pivot member attached to said elongated support member in a substantially rigid fashion and a rear flexible support member attached said support structure so as to allow free movement of the rear of said elongated support member.
 9. The cleaning means of claim 8, wherein: a. said auger means has a resilient edge portion on the flighting thereof and on the outer edge portion oF thrower blade, b. said means to guide has three guide wheels on the forward portion of said frame means adapted to contact said sides and said bottom of said trough to position the forward end of said cleaning means, c. said means to guide has a pair of rollers attached on the rear of said elongated support member positioned behind said brush means to support the rear end of said cleaning means in said trough, and d. said motor means is a hydraulic motor means. 